HER KIND

Cold Storage

'Chapter 12'

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The drive to the storage facility passed quicker than Dria had hoped. She had wished for a longer journey, one that would give her more time to wrap her head around the impending danger that seemed to loom over everyone she cared about. The sense of impending doom was palpable, and it was something they couldn't seem to shake.

As they drove, the sky was filled with drowsy clouds, and the scenery of trees passed by in a blur. Dria glanced at Pierce, whose eyes were fixed on the road but betrayed the inner turmoil he was feeling. She decided to let him process his thoughts in silence, finding comfort in the quiet between them as she continued to mull over what awaited her at the storage site.

The anticipation didn't last long as they reached the outskirts of town. A massive building stood alone, stretching as wide as a rugby field. Pierce parked the car, and Dria couldn't help but notice the eerie absence of movement.

"Dria, it can't be as bad as you're making it," Pierce challenged her as they both got out of the car. She let out a groan, feeling the weight of her apprehension, and then unfastened her seatbelt, stepping out of the vehicle. They walked toward the facility's entrance, entering a dimly lit reception area with grey walls and a black desk.

"Hello!" Dria called out, her voice echoing in the empty room.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A head emerged from behind the desk, revealing a young man who appeared to be around their age. His overgrown hair partially obscured his face.

"I'm here to view a storage unit my father left behind for me," Dria stated, positioning herself in front of the desk. The desk had a typical office setup, with a computer sitting below it, and the man was seated behind it.

"I.D., the storage number and key, please." The man requested, and Dria nodded before handing over the required items.

He began typing on the computer, and Dria's gaze wandered around the room again, finding little else to focus on besides the company's name displayed on the wall.

Greymore's Storage Away

She turned to Pierce, noticing his distant look once more, as if he was lost in thought. Dria reached out to him, her hand gently gripping his arm, and she pulled him closer while softly whispering, "You okay?"

Pierce briefly met her gaze and then glanced down at the hand holding onto him. Dria quickly released her grip. He sighed and nodded. "Yes, just a few things on my mind," he admitted.

She offered him a small smile and asked, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Pierce smiled back, responding, "Perhaps later, love."

Dria noted the term of endearment but didn't question it, understanding that his mind was elsewhere. She didn't even think he had heard himself calling her that, so she let it pass, offering a nod in response. Then, she returned her attention to the receptionist, waiting a few moments longer before he rose from his chair and instructed them to follow him.

They followed him down a narrow hallway and continued through more corridors until they emerged into a large area filled with numerous storage units. They walked for a while, heading deeper into the facility, leaving the smaller units behind. Dria turned to look at Pierce and found his eyes already locked onto hers. She quickly faced forward again just in time, as the young man had stopped walking in front of a particular unit.

"Number 346," he stated, unlocking the garage door and lifting it up. He handed the key to Dria and then walked away, instructing, "Lock the door when you're done, and retrace your steps to exit."